Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Turpentine Creek is a Nonprofit organization that provides a lifelong sanctuary for rescued big cats. In 1982, they acquired another lion, named Sheila.

In 1978, the Jackson Family acquired their first lion, Bum, while living in NE Texas. Tanya Jackson Smith, current president of TCWR, was only 8 years old. Although it wasn't easy taking care of the two lions in their backyard, the Jackson family was successful. Bum and Shelia moved from their home in Hope, Arkansas, to Eureka Springs when the Refuge was first started in 1992. They remained at the

Refuge for their entire life. Through Bum and Sheila's demanding backyard presence, the Jackson's met many people who either had, or wanted to have, a big cat as a pet living under their care, at their home. A black market breeder showed up on the Jackson's doorstep with 38 big cats crammed into two cattle trailers. She was on the run from the law in Texas and desperately needed to find a home for the cats. A friend of the Jackson family lived on a ranch in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and offered temporary refuge for the cats. Later the property was bought for a permanent home. The 38 big cats were moved to the nearly 500 acre ranch near Eureka Springs, which later became what today is Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. The labor intensive job of quickly building temporary cages for the 38 big cats was completed. Twiss was impossible to get along with and moved all her 70 cats and 30 horses that she had picked up from around the country and brought them to the refuge. It soon became evident, by incoming phone calls from all over the country from "big cat pet owners" looking for a home for their cat, that someone needed to start a refuge, or sanctuary. The Jackson family: Don, Hilda, Tanya, and Robert, stepped up to this challenge and did what most would only dream of sold everything; moved over 300 miles; and humbly went to work for the animals. Today there are over a dozen reputable sanctuaries for big cats around the country, and Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge truly stands out as a frontrunner. The United States has thousands of its residents keeping dangerous big cats in their backyards, basements, garages, and warehouses. People acquire these animals as pets and soon find they have made a grave decision and turn to Turpentine Creek for refuge.. Disclaimer: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (Turpentine Creek Foundation Inc.) reserves the right to move donated money as needed to provide for the animals in our care and to keep the nonprofit running. Any donations received over and above the budget for the designated fund will be put into the general fund.

06/14/2026

PART 3: Keepers Touched MY Toys Again !! Joey Tiger has her routine down.

After spending some time in her den area while keepers cleaned her habitat and rearranged her enrichment, she stepped back outside to conduct a very thorough inspection of the changes. Every toy was investigated. Every scent was checked. Every move was carefully considered.

Watching Joey explore her habitat may seem like a simple moment, but it's actually a powerful reminder of how far she's come.

Many rescued big cats spend portions of their lives in environments where their world is small, predictable, and lacking opportunities to engage in natural behaviors. At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, enrichment plays an important role in helping residents like Joey stay mentally and physically active, encouraging curiosity, exploration, and choice.

Today, Joey gets to decide where she goes, what catches her attention, and which toy deserves her immediate inspection.

Transformation isn't always dramatic. Sometimes it looks like a tigress confidently strolling through her habitat, investigating a world designed with her well-being in mind.

For animals who have known uncertainty, those everyday moments matter more than words can say. 🐅🧡

06/13/2026

PART 2: Keepers Touched my Toys Again !! Joey Tiger has her routine down.

After spending some time in her den area while keepers cleaned her habitat and rearranged her enrichment, she stepped back outside to conduct a very thorough inspection of the changes. Every toy was investigated. Every scent was checked. Every move was carefully considered.

Watching Joey explore her habitat may seem like a simple moment, but it's actually a powerful reminder of how far she's come.

Many rescued big cats spend portions of their lives in environments where their world is small, predictable, and lacking opportunities to engage in natural behaviors. At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, enrichment plays an important role in helping residents like Joey stay mentally and physically active, encouraging curiosity, exploration, and choice.

Today, Joey gets to decide where she goes, what catches her attention, and which toy deserves her immediate inspection.

Transformation isn't always dramatic. Sometimes it looks like a tigress confidently strolling through her habitat, investigating a world designed with her well-being in mind.

For animals who have known uncertainty, those everyday moments matter more than words can say. 🐅🧡

06/13/2026

PART 1: Keepers Touched my Toys Again !! Joey Tiger has her routine down.

After spending some time in her den area while keepers cleaned her habitat and rearranged her enrichment, she stepped back outside to conduct a very thorough inspection of the changes. Every toy was investigated. Every scent was checked. Every move was carefully considered.

Watching Joey explore her habitat may seem like a simple moment, but it's actually a powerful reminder of how far she's come.

Many rescued big cats spend portions of their lives in environments where their world is small, predictable, and lacking opportunities to engage in natural behaviors. At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, enrichment plays an important role in helping residents like Joey stay mentally and physically active, encouraging curiosity, exploration, and choice.

Today, Joey gets to decide where she goes, what catches her attention, and which toy deserves her immediate inspection.

Transformation isn't always dramatic. Sometimes it looks like a tigress confidently strolling through her habitat, investigating a world designed with her well-being in mind.

For animals who have known uncertainty, those everyday moments matter more than words can say. 🐅🧡

06/13/2026

PART 2 - Sometimes, healing and transformation looks like this.

A cautious glance from the den. A few curious steps forward. Then suddenly—full speed ahead.
Recently rescued lions Scar and Mufasa watched patiently as their keepers placed enrichment throughout their habitat. Once the team stepped away and the brothers were released, they burst into action, racing across the habitat to investigate, pounce, and claim their new treasures.

For many animals arriving at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, experiences like this are entirely new. The opportunity to explore, make choices, engage with enrichment, and simply enjoy being lions is part of what makes a sanctuary different.

Watching Scar and Mufasa charge into their habitat isn't just fun to see. It's a glimpse into a transformation that happens one day at a time.

The lions who arrive here bring their pasts with them. Some stories are marked by neglect, exploitation, or uncertainty. But every day afterward is about something different: safety, consistency, enrichment, and the promise of lifelong care.

Today, that promise looks like two lions racing toward a pile of enrichment goodies with all the enthusiasm in the world.

And honestly, we couldn't be happier for them. 🦁🧡

Axle appears to have made his position very clear: “I’m not getting up unless you have more snacks.” 🖤🐾It’s a playful mo...
06/13/2026

Axle appears to have made his position very clear: “I’m not getting up unless you have more snacks.” 🖤🐾

It’s a playful moment—but for a rescued leopard, moments like this carry so much meaning.

When big cats arrive at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, they often come from lives where choice, comfort, and consistency were not guaranteed. Their stories may begin in uncertainty, but here, each day is part of a new chapter built around safety, dignity, and lifetime care.

For Axle, that transformation can be seen in the quiet confidence of a cat stretched out on his back, completely at ease in his home. No performance. No pressure. Just a second chance lived one peaceful, snack-motivated moment at a time.

This is what rescue becomes after the headlines fade: daily care, trust built slowly, and the freedom to simply be.

06/12/2026

There’s something beautiful about watching an animal simply enjoy being herself.

For Joey, moments like these—batting, pouncing, and attacking around her oversized Tipsy Tom toy—are part of a life that looks very different today than it once did. Here at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, she has the space, safety, and care to express the natural behaviors that make her who she is.

It's easy to see the tiger. The powerful paws. The striking stripes. The playful energy.

But what we see is something more.

We see trust built over time. We see confidence. We see a future that isn't measured in days or years, but in a lifetime of compassionate care.

Every tiger who comes to Turpentine Creek has a story. While we can’t change their past, we can help write a different chapter—one filled with enrichment, comfort, and the freedom to just be a tiger.

And today, that chapter includes a very large toy and one very happy tigress. 🧡🐅

06/12/2026

Nothing says summer quite like a cool pool and a peaceful afternoon. 🐅💦

Joey, one of our resident tigers, spent part of her day lounging in her pool as it slowly refilled with fresh, cool water—a simple pleasure that makes a big difference during the Arkansas heat.

Providing enriching habitats and proper care for rescued big cats means paying attention to the little things, especially on hot summer days. Watching Joey relax and enjoy her space is a reminder of what every exotic animal deserves: safety, comfort, and the opportunity to simply be wild at heart.

Thank you for helping make moments like this possible for the animals who call Turpentine Creek home. ❤️

Hunter the Serval Cat's StorySpecies: African Serval (Leptailurus serval)DOB: October 10, 2014S*x: MaleArrival Date: Oct...
06/12/2026

Hunter the Serval Cat's Story

Species: African Serval (Leptailurus serval)
DOB: October 10, 2014
S*x: Male
Arrival Date: October 10, 2019

In 2019, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) was contacted by New Mexico authorities about an African Serval captured in the wilderness. During Hunter’s adolescent years, his original owners had a microchip implanted – commonly used to register pets to their owners in case they get lost, helping them find their way home again.

The microchip later proved invaluable in aiding authorities to trace who previously owned him after he was captured. Hunter’s previous owner claimed that Hunter and his female companion had escaped from his property in 2016.

The owner told local authorities he had purchased the two servals from an Arkansas breeder. However, New Mexico’s laws make it illegal to own servals as pets; therefore, authorities reached out to TCWR when seeking a reputable sanctuary for him to live the remainder of his life.

Hunter arrived at five years old in surprisingly good condition despite everything he had endured. In his exam, our team discovered that Hunter was declawed, so he is a part of our Pain Management Plan to help slow down the rate of arthritis and alleviate pain.

Hunter, a spirited serval, loves to chat and call out to any of his neighbors or keepers who will listen. He often takes naps in the shady areas of his habitat, finding comfort and relaxation away from the sun. Hunter occasionally shows his playful side by playing with his boomer ball toys.

Ever the hunter, he eagerly pounces and chases any bug or creature that dares to enter his habitat or run along the fence.

*** VOTING WILL RESUME on the 15th ** Every single vote matters, and your support each day can make a huge difference.Yo...
06/12/2026

*** VOTING WILL RESUME on the 15th **
Every single vote matters, and your support each day can make a huge difference.

Your votes will help determine who will be featured in Artforum Magazine and have their work displayed at The Art of Elysium's Salon. This incredible opportunity would bring valuable attention to the animals at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and help raise awareness about big cat conservation issues.

And there's even more at stake—if Katie wins, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge will receive $25,000 to support the animals in our care!

Please help us keep the momentum going by casting your ONE FREE DAILY VOTE today.

🗳️ Vote here:
https://peoplesartist.org/2026/katie-lock

Address

239 Turpentine Creek Lane
Eureka Springs, AR
72632

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm
Thursday 8:30am - 3pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm
Saturday 8:30am - 5pm
Sunday 8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+14792535841

Website

, ,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category